The life & times of the eternally evolving, erratic, eccentric expatriate (who loves the color violet)

Today is Friendship Day in Argentina (“Día del Amigo”). It’s a holiday that I never gave much thought to until just recently. Before, I would have categorized it as one of Argentina’s superfluous holidays to promote tourism, commercialism, and the like (fun fact: Argentina was the country with the most federal holidays in the world in 2012, with a grand total of 19 non-working “holidays”).

But not this year. This year, the meaning of friendship has taken on a more profound significance as I look back and think about where I was emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually for the past twelve months versus where I am today. And frankly, I’m surprised that I’m still standing. But I couldn’t have done it without the genuine friends that I have who stuck by me throughout it all.

“A true friends is someone capable of touching your heart from the other side of the world.”

Within the past year I’ve seen Heaven and the depths of Hell, and have been round the bend more times than I care to recall. Within that time, I’ve experienced ugly and crippling moments of darkness but also ones of beautiful clarity. I sadly lost friends this year, which is unspeakably painful and I will never truly get over. However, new friendships have begun to blossom in this year for me as well, for which I am incredibly grateful.

But most of all, I am immeasurably thankful and indebted to my friends who were always there, who never left my side in my hour of need and who stuck by me when I was at my personal worst and on the verge of losing it all.

You all know who you are. I love you!

“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: “What! You too? I thought I was the only one.” — C.S. Lewis